Blog
It’s Spring! Go Make Some Lip Balm
Yeah, spring! Here’s your beekeeper PSA: don’t get rid of your dandelions! Absolutely do not spray them with poison, and don’t even mow them until they go to seed. They are an important food source for honey bees at this time of year. So be lazy and let your lawn…
Wacky Weather Spring Sale!
You know those whipped body butters you all love so much? Me too. But they are hard to ship in summer. I pack them with ice packs and mail them Priority so they’ll arrive tout suite, but still. It’s a risk. A few hours in a hot mail truck and those…
Something New Coming Up!
After the holiday rush, there’s a lull for businesses like mine. It’s a great time to take a deep breath and get creative! So that’s what we’ve been doing. Cole and I are working on some new lines to keep our fans happy. And we’re planning the spring bee yard maintenance….
Resolute Resolutions
On Facebook the other day, someone posted a meme: “I should open a gym called Resolutions. It will have exercise equipment for two weeks, and then turn into a bar for the rest of the year.” I normally avoid this problem by not making resolutions. But this year is different….
A Living Wage
Businesses, especially small businesses, reflect their owners. My priorities and my values are reflected in the decisions I make every day, from the ingredients I use to the containers I buy to how I pay my employees. Or, because I’m so small, employee, singular. Getting ready for your first employee…
Let’s Talk about Bar Soap
Recently, I interviewed many of my customers to get a feel for what they like about my products. One thing became clear quickly: a lot of people prefer liquid soap to bar soap. This was surprising to me, because I sell a lot of bar soap! I do make and…
Cornell Orchards And More
Hey Avital’s Fans! You have been buying out the soaps, balms, and lotions at Cornell Orchards! The Orchards has been one of my family’s favorite stops for fresh apples, pears, and other locally grown goodness. We always buy enough to make quarts and quarts of fresh, homemade applesauce. I hope you…
Introducing Cole, Avital’s First Employee!
Even though we haven’t been working together long, I can say that Cole is a great employee, and I’m lucky to have him. He’s a natural with bees and a quick learner in the workshop. I’m so glad he wrote to me! Now, from Cole himself: Howdy! I’m Cole; Ithaca…
Wait, Which one…?
There is a whole lot of skin-loving goodness going on at Avital’s. Starting with my flagship Lotion Bar that goes back to the beginning my business, I’ve been making things that are so good for your skin from the marvelous things my bees make for over 6 years. Wow! But…
A Little Biz Post
This year is about growth for Avital’s Apiaries. I’m participating in the Passenger to Pilot program for women entrepreneurs at REV, a business incubator here in Ithaca, and another class through Lucky Break Consulting. I’ve studied a lot of things in my life… but business wasn’t one of them. Until now. It’s…